Cochabamba, June 29 (RHC)-- The Director of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) Carissa Etienne has praised Cuba’s contribution to training foreign health professionals and its medical missions worldwide.

Addressing participants in the First International Encounter on Primary Healthcare Experiences in Cochabamba, Bolivia, Etienne noted that in Brazil alone, there are currently over 10,000 Cuban health workers.

She also mentioned Cuba’s healthcare missions in El Salvador, Nicaragua, Ecuador and in other small Caribbean island nations, such as Dominica.

The top PAHO official stated that 706 Cuban health professionals are currently working in Bolivia, many of them affiliated with the My Health or Mi Salud program, which is similar to Cuba's Family Doctor-and-Nurse Program.

She also praised Cuba’s training program, which has graduated many Bolivian students as doctors.

Etienne noted that the region is facing an economic and political situation, that presents challenges to universal healthcare.

Also participating in the encounter were delegates from Ecuador, Venezuela, Cuba, Nicaragua, Brazil, and Bolivia.